IDC's Carrier IP Network Infrastructure and Virtualizationservice analyzes the emerging opportunities and challenges for network infrastructure suppliers selling IP and Carrier Ethernet wired network solutions to communications service providers. This service focuses on the deployment of key IP, Ethernet, and optical network infrastructure products that support enhanced IP/MPLS services, Carrier Ethernet, mobile backhaul, IP VPNs, datacenter interconnect, and optical and cloud connectivity. It also analyzes emerging trends in network virtualization, including analysis of software-defined networks (SDNs), Network Functions Virtualization (NFV), solutions, vendor strategies, and new SDN- and NFV-related industry ecosystems and associations. This service covers routing and switching as well as the packet optical networking market segments in significant detail. Research includes quantitative and qualitative market assessments as well as forecasts of market trends, technology requirements, and deployment strategies.

Markets and Subjects Analyzed

Carrier Ethernet (routing and switching) forecast and opportunities

Service provider routers (core and edge)

Vendor SDN and NFV strategies and solutions

Next-generation network (NGN) wireline and wireless infrastructure

Service provider routers and the migration of Ethernet into the core networks

Wireless backhaul applications and trends

Technology convergence of the wireline and wireless infrastructure

Datacenter interconnect next-generation network infrastructure

Network migration strategies of network operators

Issues in optical network deployments

Core Research

Worldwide Carrier Ethernet Forecast and Market Share

Worldwide Service Provider Routing Forecast and Analysis

SDN and NFV Telecom Wireline Taxonomy

SDN and NFV Use Cases

Impact of SDN and NFV Wireline Forecast

Technology Evolution Insights

Telecom Equipment Market Share and Forecasts

Consulting and White Papers

In addition to the insight provided in this service, IDC may conduct research on specific topics or emerging market segments via research offerings that require additional IDC funding and client investment.

Key Questions Answered

How will the service provider router and switch market evolve to meet the growing demand for video distribution, broadband, and business services?

What type of SDN and NFV use cases will be adopted by CSPs, and how will this change the vendor landscape in the coming years?

How are equipment vendors positioning to gain share as service provider capex spending stalls?

How will migration to open software platforms and network virtualization of carrier infrastructure affect incumbent vendors?

How and when will leading service providers converge their networks?

What is the opportunity for wireless backhaul, and what new backhaul solutions are evolving?

Which networking vendors are best positioned to increase market share among service providers in 2014?

Carrier IP Network Infrastructure and Virtualization

Source: IDC

Companies Analyzed

IDC's Carrier IP Network Infrastructure and Virtualization service examines how infrastructure suppliers are positioning themselves to compete in the service provider market. This service reviews the strategies, market positioning, and future direction of infrastructure suppliers as well as their customers in this space, including:

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